All throughout my reading life I didn’t think I was much of a coffee table book person … until I was. Now I absolutely love coffee them. There’s something so soothing about placing a well-written book, that’s also aesthetically pleasing, on a coffee table, nightstand, kitchen counter, etc.

Here are some of my favourite coffee table books that fit this realm, in no particular order.

Gilmore Girls: The Official Cookbook by Elena Craig, Kristen Mulrooney

Lalalalala. If you heard that as you read it, we are the same person! Welcome to the ‘people who are obsessed with Gilmore Girls club’. For me, the idea of this book is a no brainer but the fact that the recipes inside are very good (and easy to make) as well makes it all the better.

This book will make you feel cozy during all seasons … along with making you feel like you’re right in Stars Hollow.

14,000 Things to Be Happy About by Barbara Ann Kipfer

This is a great book if you’re having a day where you’re feeling a bit blue and need a gentle reminder of all the small but beautiful simplicities there are in our daily lives. 14,000 Things to Be Happy About is also excellent if you’re having a good day and feeling like you want to add to it – because in my opinion, this book is really never finished.

“Every day may not be good… but there’s something good in every day” ― Alice Morse Earle.

Just Kids: Illustrated Edition by Patti Smith

Patti Smith is my favourite writer of all time. Enough said.

This illustrated edition of Just Kids gives readers an even more in-depth visual look at Smith’s life during the time period of the book. While I do find myself rereading Just Kids every now and then, I find myself flipping through this version even more so.

Around the Board by Emily Delaney

As someone who aspires to make picture perfect boards, this book is a must on my kitchen counter. It’s the newest book in my coffee table book collection, but I made one of the boards from the book a few weeks ago and, needless to say, the book has served its purpose.

And even though I haven’t had the book for a full year yet, I do imagine it will be one I find myself grabbing for during all seasons.

Peter Pan by J. M Barrie (Author), MinaLima Ltd. (Illustrator)

“Would you like an adventure now, or would like to have your tea first?”― J. M. Barrie, Peter Pan.

My answer to this question is simple … I’ll have my tea and dive into my next adventure through the books I read.

The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking

If I could live inside any book, it would be this one. I have truly never read something so relaxing – and something that has inspired me so much to change my surroundings and outlook to be more soothing.

You can definitely read this book all through the year but to me there’s something special about flipping through it in the fall and winter.

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

This is another one of my favourite books of all time. While it doesn’t look like your typical coffee table book, I love using it as so because it is easy to flip through and does an excellent job at removing you from reality for a moment.

Whenever I see any of these books mentioned above, I am hit with a sudden burst of serotonin, which perhaps is the true purpose of coffee table books – to have books out on display that boost your mood and bring joy to your day. While I may switch these out for some others in my collection at different points in the year, the books mentioned above are the coffee table books that tend to bring me the most joy year-round.

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